Denzil Leon "Denny" Jorgenson Sr.

Denny (Denzil) Leon Jorgenson was born February 1,1939 in Big Bend, Minnesota to Sibert and Pearl (Paulson) Jorgenson, during an epic blizzard where the doctor arrived on a horse and buggy. We suspect this was when Denny’s resilient nature started. Denny grew up in Omaha and attended Saratoga Elementary School. These younger years are where he developed his life-long love of fishing and where he spent time hanging out at his mom and Dad’s grocery store on 28th and Fowler St. He went on to graduate from Omaha North High School in 1957, although he spent most of his senior year skipping school to go fishing with Bob Probst. He then started carpentry trade school, met his future wife Mary Linda Harrison, and at this young age started his first company, HarDen Construction, with his future brother-in-law Harry Harrison. Denny married Mary on October 24, 1959 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church and to this union, three children were born: Denny Jr, Bob, and Kelly. Denny and Mary spent most of their lives in Omaha, including High Point, where they became life-long friends with Bob and Jan; and the Keystone, and RambleRidge neighborhoods. Denny enjoyed dressing up in a suit & tie to go on dinner dates with Mary. They moved to Woodcliff Lake, NE in 2003 where they cherished their time there and Mary allowed Denny to fish daily and have a cocktail or two. Denny loved his work too, starting with framing homes, including building some of the first A-frame cabins at Woodcliff Lake. He then started JCO Construction building large steel dryers, tower supports, conveyors, and catwalks on grain elevators. He later returned to high end carpentry and remodeling and finished his career with his brother Dale at Peterson Brothers retiring at the age of 80. Denny and family mourned the passing of Mary in 2016, who had warned her children "you don't want your dad surviving me!" But he did learn to eventually do his own laundry. Denny enjoyed hunting and fishing with his brother Dale and brother-in-law Harry, was a die-hard Husker fan, but loved time with his children; like playing his guitar upside down backwards to his baby daughter Kelly; his grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and their friends the most; especially teaching and watching them fish. He also accommodated Mary's love of playing poker, going to casinos, and sneaking smokes. Denny loved being around people all the time, with many childhood lifelong and adult friends, and going to the Woodcliff Restaurant for dinner and drinks. One of his most favorite trips was spending a week in Jamaica with all of his children and grandchildren; he even shopped for his island wardrobe all by himself. Denny taught his family to do their best the first time, never blame others, don't turn your back on those counting on you, take full responsibility, and don't pass the buck. He was the hardest working person any of us knew, he traveled a lot during the work week with his construction projects but always showed up for his kids and grandkids. Denny was always focused on operation others; he took care of everyone else first and put his needs last. Denny never had a single medical issue until he was 86 years old. He always said I'm living to 100 but God saw him growing tired and decided it was time to take one of his best. During Denny's transition, he was so excited for the birth of his first great-grandchild in August, sweet Aria Elaine Jorgenson, who like her great-grandfather, was struggling. He asked about how she was doing daily and was heartbroken when Aria was lifted away from us on the wings of angels in November. Denny died peacefully on January 4, 2026 at the Good Samaritan Home in Millard at the age of 86 years and 11 months. Denny was preceded in death by his parents, Sibert and Pearl Jorgenson; wife, Mary Jorgenson; great granddaughter, Aria Jorgenson; and siblings: Dale Jorgenson, Faye Jorgenson; and Judy May. He is survived by his children: Denny (Lori) Jorgenson Jr. of Omaha, NE, Bob (Erin) Jorgenson of Warminster, PA; Kelly (Mike) Pedersen of Woodcliff, NE; 9 grandchildren: Nathan (Haleigh), Alex, Maria, Michael, Zach (Alix), Abby (Tyler), Robert, Hannah, and Peter; sister, Madeline Churchich; and numerous nieces and nephews. VISITATION: 4-6pm Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at Reichmuth Funeral Home in Elkhorn, followed by a celebration of life ceremony at 6pm. FUNERAL SERVICE: 10:30am Thursday, January 8, 2026 at Reichmuth Funeral Home in Elkhorn. Memorials may be directed to VFW post 2503, 8904 Military Road, Omaha, NE 68134

Denzil Leon "Denny" Jorgenson Sr.

February 1, 1939 - January 4, 2026